Steering-wheel



0 K SNYDER AND 0. H. KENRICH.

STEERING WHEEL. APPLICATION FYILED on. 7, 1918.

1,381,025. PatentedJune 7, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I- I g a a 0 K SNYDER AND C. H. KENRICH.

STEERING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-7,1918.

walbmeoo earner 0 K SNYDER AND CHARLES H. KENRICH, 0F 01\TAWAY, l\EICI-IIGAIN, ASSIGNORS TO THE AIIIERICAN V7001) RIM. COMPANY,

TION OF IVES! VIRGINIA.

. srnnnrnc-wnnnn nseroes.

Specification of "Letters Patent. Patented Jane 7, 1&2

Application filed October 7, 1918. Serial no. 257,308.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that we, 0 K SNYDER. and

CHARLES H. Knnnron, citizens of the United tates, and residing at Onawa-y, countyof Presque Isle, State of Michi an, have invented certain, new and useful Improvements in Steering-Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in steering wheels particularly of the character which are employed in motor vehicles and which comprise a rim, generally made of wood, and a metal spider or frame.

The particular object of the invention is to provide a construction which will be very durable and not liable to have its parts injured by exposure, or to become accidentally separated or detached.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a plan view of a wheel constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale through the joint between one of the arms of the supporting frame and the rim;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line fir-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a plan showing a slightly modified form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale of the meeting ends of two sections of the rim and the connection therewith of one of the frame arms, said section being substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings it will be seen that the wheel comprises a circular rim formed of a plurality of segmental sections A, A and a supportin spider or frame B, the arms of which are rigidly connected with the rim.

As shown, the rim is formed of two similar semi-circular sections, the ends of which abut in the line of diametrically opposite arms I), Z) of the spider B.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the arms 6, b of the spider or supporting rim, which is ordinarily made of metal, terminate in sleeves C which receive and suround the adjacent rim sections A, A.

As shown in Fig. 2 the sleeves G are adjacent surface of the rim. T-shaped bolts E are passed through the rim and screwed into suitable threaded sockets or passages in the expanded members 6 so that the arms 6 Z2 are rigidlysecured to the rim. 7

or onawnv, arrcnrean, a conronnprovide two oppositely In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, the rim comprises two similar sections A, A and each i of the arms of the spider or supporting frame terminates 1n an expanded portion which is provided with a concave upper face to conform with the adjacent surface of the mm. The expanded portion of the arms 7),

b is of greater length than the corresponding portions of the arms 72 6 so that two bolts E are provided to connect said sections 6 with the two segments of the rim. Preferably also a metal plate G is placed across the upper surface of the meeting ends of the rim sections and provided with suitable passages through which said securing bolts E extend. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the meeting ends of the rim segments are provided with interfitting wedge shaped parts instead of merely abutting as in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

While in the embodiment of the invention illustrated the'rim is shown'as comprising but two sections and the spider or supporting frame as having but four arms, it will be evident that the number of arms of the spider may be varied, and the number of segments composing the rim may be increased without departing from the spirit of the invention.

An important feature of the invention is that each of the rim segments is formed of a single solid piece of wood. In prior constructions it has been customary to employ rims composed of two or more layers or thicknesses of wood united by glue. Under the action of the elements, however, it is found difficult to maintain tight joints between the different layers and the result is that the rims ireque'ntly become cracked, or the layers thereoi separate. This difliculty is entirely avoided by the present invention in which each of the rim sections is a single solid piece. j,

As shewnin the cross sectional views, the heads or the connecting; screw bolts lj'which are bent over after being screwed to the rims oi? the sp1der engaged by said bolts, are so shaped that they project but slightly from the surface of the rim which is made of substantially uniform shape throughout.

llavingthus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is i 1. A steering wheel comprising a rim formed of two, substantially semi-circular, members, and a spider or frame. having diametrically opposite arms terminating in sleeves that receive and surroundthe adjacent ends of the rim members.

2. .El steering wheel comprising, a rim formed of a plurality or" segmental members arranged end to end, and a spider or frame havlng arms terminatlng 1n sleeves that each i-ceive and surround the ad acent ends of two oftherim members, and means for lock ingsaid sleeves to the rim. 3. A steering wheel comprislng a rim formed of aplurality of segmental members",

arranged end to end, a spider or frame hav- -l.ormed of two, substantially ing arms provided at their outer ends with secrets receiving the adjacent ends of two of V formed of a plurality of segmental members arranged end to end, a spider having arms terminating in sleeves forming oppositely tapering sockets that receive and surround the adjacent endsof two'rim members, and means for securing said sleeves to the rim member. f

6, steering wheel comprising a rim formed of'a plurality of segmental members,

and a spider or frame having two of its arms each secured to two of the rim members, and T-headed screw bolts each extending-through a .mcmber of the rim and screwed into an arm of the spider, the heads of Said bolts" beingbent over the adjacent surface of the rim;

tures.

" 0 K SNYDER.

CHARLES In testimony whereoi 'we'affix our signa- 

